1.23.2011

My Manifesto (more or less)

As the 2nd half of senior year is slowly breaking onto the horizon many of our [seniors] minds are asking the same question: What the hell am I going to do with my life? Yes, we all know it is a ridiculous question as we all know that who you are and what you do after college doesn't have to define who you are/who you will be for the rest of your life. But, it is the reality that being in a rigid school system for 15+ years is coming to an end. Change is a difficult, but beautiful thing. There are so many options for us to choose, but which will be the best? I have been thinking about these unanswerable questions for months and I feel that I know which path I would like to choose. In Fashion there are many options...contrary to what many people feel is a dead end career, the fashion industry holds a multitude of opportunities in different varieties. The 3 most thought of jobs in Fashion are being a designer, stylist, or buyer. In all honesty...I don't want to do any of those at the moment. I do not look down upon or glorify any..they just are not the path I want to choose. I love helping people. This has ALWAYS been a passion of mine and even when I questioned myself for switching from nursing major to fashion major, or being a fashion major, I have never questioned my love for helping others. My love for art and fashion will come and go, but I've always felt I've had this attraction to others that I know will never subside in me.
I am going to the Philippines/Asia for 2 months after graduation. My main goal was to learn more about my culture. Growing up as an Asian American, I did not learn my own language and don't know much about the Philippines at all. This is embarrassing for me, but I have always wanted to change that. My parents grew up in the poor outskirts of Manila and I have been so fortunate to be in the United States, to be going to college, and to have the lifestyle I had growing up. I have always been grateful for the things that I have and have always wanted to go back and help my family and other Filipinos. But now I feel that I have the education and the ability to actually give back.
At first, learning about my culture was my only priority going to the Philippines, but now I realize that this trip is going to mean so much more to me. I want to volunteer at orphanages, teach english, and mostly, hopefully teach children and whoever else art. I want to encourage underprivileged youth that they are NOT stuck where they are, that they have the power and control to get where they want to be. I want to provide those who have lost hope with a vision of a more positive, happy future. I want to be there for those who want change and be able to help them achieve their goals. Through art I want to show children a different perspective of life, show them there are ways to express yourself, show them they have the talent and individuality to be creative, to create something, that they are important people and have a place in this world like each and every one of us do. In all honesty, I love fashion, I love clothes, I love art, but to me (I don't judge others who do not feel the same way) I CANNOT see myself being happy without spreading my knowledge to those less fortunate than me.
I am a goal setter. If you know me, you probably know I have a list of things to do before I die and that when I really, truly want something..I do whatever it takes to get it. Out of all my 50+ goals, I have only one that I NEED to accomplish and that is starting a Fashion school for underprivileged youth in the Philippines. This will happen. I know it.

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comments

i know you can succeed in whatever you set your mind to:] you are a great person and so loving and giving, you have an incredible heart to want to improve peoples lives like this and to show others that your own life is what you make of it. It's very important to spread the message everyone is created with an equal ability to improve themselves and have a very fulfilling life! Eep, you're the best.

ahh! thanks natrin (: its really nice to hear that people appreciate what i want to do. i hope it all works out...its hard being in such a materialistic major and try to break those stereotypes so when i have support like this it makes me feel good (: